The Canada-Japan Society, for our March Movie Night, is proud to present Yoichi Higashi's heart-warming and comedic film, "My Grandpa" (わたしのグランパ).
This 2003 film tells the tale of an aging gangster just released from a long stint in prison, who returns to live with his son's family. His grand-daughter, after a hesitant start, takes a liking to this charming stranger when he comes to her aid against school bullies, even though she is troubled by how a killer can be welcomed as a returning hero by the neighbourhood. The movie is about their new relationship and how they come to truly understand each other. It is a human drama about life and death - and things in between - shown from a uniquely Japanese perspective.
The film is based on the novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui and stars the charismatic Bunta Sugawara in what was, at the time, his first film in over 12 years. The movie won six awards in various film festivals that year, including two "Newcomer of the Year" awards for Satomi Ishihara, who played the grand-daughter.
The evening will also feature a commemorative Tea Ceremony dedicated to the victims of the March 11/11 Great East Japan Earthquake (東日本大震災). The CJS is honoured to welcome Tea Master Tomori Nagamoto, who will perform the tea ceremony with Kyoko Nitta, both members of the Urasenke Tea Ceremony Society. This introduction to the tea ceremony will offer guests the opportunity to experience first-hand an important element of Japanese traditional society, as well as reflect on the anniversary of the tragic events of one year ago.
We hope you will join us.
MY GRANDPA (in Japanese with English subtitles)
Friday, March 16, 2012
The National Film Board Theatre
150 John Street (at Richmond)
7:00 pm start
CJS Members $5
Non-Members $10
The film will be followed, as always, by our post-film gathering at EVEREST, which is a casual way to meet new people and talk about the film over good food and drink.
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